Ever Just Have a Yuck Day?

It's been one of those days you wish you could just stay at home in sweats...

First Paper Complete!

Why in the world am I writing a blog when I have spent the last 3 days writing and can hardly bear to look at a computer screen anymore??

I just want to announce to the world that I have just completed and turned in my first graduate school paper.  That makes me pretty excited.  I have no idea how well I will do on it, but I think I am personally satisfied with my work for paper #1!  Hopefully, they will only get better and better from here on out :-).

Now, as Derek knows, I of course need to reward myself.  Hehe.  I'm going to do a bit more reading this evening and then tonight: Burger King, Presidential Debates, last night's premiere of The Office!  Now that's what I call a reward :-).

iPod Frustrations

So if you followed my blog while I was in Kyrgyzstan, you know that I love my iPod shuffle.  But lately I have been having some issues!  I let my mom use my iPod while I was home in Fresno because my sister gave me her old one when she got a new one for Christmas.  Anyway, my sister's old iPod has since died, so I got my shuffle back from my mom.  But ever since then, when I go turn it on in shuffle mode, it will start from the song it started at the last time I listened to it. Which means that every time I turn it on, I have to skip through more and more songs to avoid listening to the same songs over and over again.  What is wrong??  It never used to do this before. It always remembered where I stopped and would start from that point.  I'm not sure if something happened when my mom was using it, or if it has something to do with my MacBook?? It doesn't seem like having a Mac should cause an iPod problem...  Anyway, suggestions?  I have no idea if this post even makes any sense.  Oh, technology.

TV, Morning Routines, and The Search for Jay...

So there is a bit of crazy editing going on in this video.  A lesson that you should always preview before posting to YouTube!  But it should all make sense in the end, so hang in there... :-)

And don't forget to check out Derek, Becky and Jen daily at www.youtube.com/user/5FrequentFailures!

To Be So Lucky

Over the past few years I have come to realize that I am rich.  I am rich in experiences, but mostly, I am rich in relationships those experiences have made possible.  I am so thankful to have a network of close friends I can draw upon for support, input, and prayer as we process life together.  I don't know what I would do without what I call 'the inner circle'!

Nearly 6 years ago, I met Gloria in Washington, DC, when we were randomly placed as roommates for our semester at the American Studies Program (you can hear the full story in the video below this post!).  We've traveled around the United States & Canada together, had countless hours in phone conversations, visited each other numerous times in our hometowns, she came to visit me in Kyrgyzstan, and last week I had the pleasure of her company in DC for my 28th birthday!  If there were a prize for the most miles traveled to see me, Gloria would win that one hands down.  She's amazing!

Our time together was short (just 3 full days), but packed to the brim (when Glor & I are together, that's the way we roll).  As I mentioned in my most recent 5 Frequent Failures video, it was really like celebrating my birthday for 4 days.  Highlights: our signature Lisa/Gloria catch-up/storytelling/issue-discussing conversation the first night; not going to bed before 2am (5am being the record) any night of her visit; exploring Georgetown courtesy of the previously mentioned DC on Foot cards; Bailey's milkshakes at The Diner; the Adams Morgan nightcrawl; and breakfast at Eastern Market on my birthday.

On my actual birthday, the main celebration was in the evening when a bunch of friends--new and old (Peace Corps friends, school friends, even Obama campaign friends!)--got together for Ethiopian food and then drinks afterward.  We had every intention of dancing, but we were so tired from the week's activities, we decided to call it quits at midnight and go home!  All in all, a great birthday and a great time with a life-long friend.

Now it's been a week since Gloria left, and I've spent the last 7 days playing catch-up after the crazy birthday week of fun (which is why I have been so delinquent in the blogs recently). School is really starting to pick up now, with papers and other assignments fast-approaching and the reading neverending.  So I'm just trying to stay on top of things, while balancing school with nanny and TA duties.  Sometimes I have to close my eyes and take deep breaths to keep from getting overwhelmed :-), but it's also kind of an exciting strategy game of time-management.  Prioritizing, balancing, multi-tasking when possible, and at the end of the day, going to sleep just being satisfied with doing what I could with the time I had.  And speaking of sleep, it's just about that time for me here on the East Coast.  So off I go... 28, happy, and rich! 

Better Late Than Never!

Sorry I didn't post these earlier!  It's been a crazy week!  I had a blast with Gloria and on my birthday, so more to come on that later :-).  Thought I'd at least get the videos up, since some people have been asking about them.  Enjoy!

It's My Birthday, I Can Go Overtime If I Want To!

Another fabulous Monday.  Check us out daily!  We have a Friday girl now :-)

Why I Support Barack Obama

Several people have asked me why I am voting for Barack Obama for president this fall.  This is my attempt to explain my enthusiasm.  Certainly not exhaustive (addressing all salient issues), nor a treatise on why YOU should vote for him, what follows is a personal account of the reasons he's won me over.

I am not a Democrat, nor am I a Republican.  Though I may find myself with liberal leanings on many political issues, I also identify with several conservative views as well.  I'd like to think I approach issues thoughtfully, considering various opinions and perspectives.  This generally means I pretty much never agree fully with political candidates on the 'issues'; and yet, a Democrat, Barack Obama, has captured me--as he has so many others--this election cycle.

I was in Kyrgyzstan when the election hype began (yes, far too early, I agree).  I borrowed a DVD from a fellow Talas volunteer whose mother routinely recorded her favorite TV shows and sent them across the world.  The DVD included an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show.  Now, I am by no means an avid Oprah fan, but in Kyrgyzstan, you will pretty much watch anything if it's in English.  The guest on this particular episode was a freshman Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama (long before he declared his candidacy for president).  I don't remember details of the show, but I remember being impressed, infused with a tiny spark that maybe, just maybe, this guy was different.  He seemed different.  I liked him.

Then I came across a copy of The Audacity of Hope in an ad hoc PCV library at Jess & Joe's apartment.  I read the book, well, hopefully.  Could this guy really be as amazing as he seemed? Chapter by chapter, I found myself more and more impressed, more and more convinced; by the end of the book, I was sold.  Barack Obama had my support.  

But why?  I know, I know, I have yet to provide any substantive reasons for my affinity.  If you, like me, prefer bullet points to meandering story, please excuse my narrative.  Bullet points commence!

• He acknowledges the complexity of issues.  In an increasingly polarized political culture where we prefer 10-second sound bites to intelligent discussion of complex issues, candidates are often accused of being 'wishy-washy' for considering multiple perspectives.  I understand that leadership requires decision-making, but I prefer a president who understands that issues are complex to one who can only see his own perspective.  I have seen from his books and speeches that Barack Obama is devoted to understanding the perspectives of people he disagrees with, and for this I respect him highly.
• He doesn't demonize or denigrate those who disagree with him.  It's easy to have your views and label everyone else as stupid or ignorant or evil.  We all know this is rarely the case, however.  The truth is that most people actually have reasons for believing and supporting certain things.  In his speech at the Democratic Convention, Obama said of John McCain, "[He] has worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction, and for that we owe him our gratitude and respect... What I will not do is suggest that the Senator takes his positions for political purposes. Because one of the things we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism."  How refreshing to have a candidate who doesn't seem to bitterly hate or deride his opponent!  
• He seems to truly be devoted to doing politics differently.  He hasn't always been a politician with his eyes on the power and glory of the presidency.  He started his career as a community organizer in Chicago, working with the underprivileged 'in the trenches', so to speak.  He has the on-the-ground experience that roots him in more than vain ambition.  As a U.S. Senator, he made a commitment not to fly in private jets; throughout his campaign, he has not accepted money from lobbyists or Political Action Committees; he refuses to engage in negative campaigning.  I believe he has the potential to change the way politics-as-usual is done in America; and a victory in November would show our nation that doing things differently--ethically--actually does work.  
• He provides a refreshing alternative for the growing number of more liberal Christians who are tired of the monopoly Republicans have claimed to hold over religious voters.  Barack Obama talks about faith in a way that strikes a cord with me and many of my Christian friends.  He doesn't restrict his discussion of faith to the so-called 'moral issues' of abortion and gay marriage.  He reflects a view many of us hold that faith should inform our views on poverty, the environment, war, how we interact with other nations, health care, and immigration.  He gave a speech about faith at the Call to Renewal conference in 2006 that moved me deeply.  You can read it here.

Two of Barack Obama's campaign slogans are 'Hope' and 'Change'.  Sure, anyone can put a word on a yard sign.  I acknowledge the possibility that I, and all of us who have rallied around him, could in fact find ourselves sorely disappointed.  He could turn out to be a power-hungry politician like all the rest; it could have all just been rhetoric and spin.  But I don't think so. Barack Obama has inspired so many Americans to hope that change is possible in Washington, that there is a new way to do politics that puts people first, not lobbyists and interest groups, that it's possible to work together with others even when we disagree.  And so, I too have the audacity to hope, to hope that Barack Obama can deliver, and that America will be a better nation as a result.

Of course, I do not speak for Barack Obama or his campaign.  If you want to know more about his background and stance on various issues, visit his website for more information.

I Love...

... the expression on Becky's face in this picture.  I can only imagine how ridiculous I was being to provoke that response.  Love and miss you, Bec!

A Load of Crap

5 Frequent Failures has undergone some remodeling since last week!  We lost 2 of our correspondents, but have gained j.Lo on Fridays and hopefully I've done a good job of convincing Jordan to come on board for Thursdays :-).  So we are on our way to actually reporting 5 days a week like we promised.  Here's my Monday installment, and make sure you check out our channel daily to see Derek, Becky, and Jen (link on the left)!